By Zhang Chenghui, Research Institute of Finance, DRC

Research Report No.30, 2016 (Total 4913)2016-03-23

Abstract: Doctor-patient disputes have existed for a long time in China and tend to intensify in recent years, which has caused thorn issues for many hospitals and exerted certain negative influence on social stability. In 2008, Ningbo municipal government, on the basis of repeated research and reasoning, decided to introduce the mechanism of commercial insurance, adopted and implemented the Tentative Methods for Prevention and Treatment of Ningbo Medical Disputes, and at the same time launched three supportive measures including the Ningbo Plan for Medical Liability Insurance. Through eight years of practice, the “Ningbo solution” mode for addressing medical disputes has made remarkable progress. By the end of 2015, a total of 6350 cases of disputes had been dealt with, and 94% of the disputes were successfully resolved. Medical disputes requiring on-spot management by the medical care authorities has decreased from over 50 to zero annually. The “Ningbo solution” mode has conserved both administrative and judicial resources, and curtailed “medical malpractice troubles”, with almost no “medical disputes” induced by trouble makers in Ningbo. 98.7% of hospitals and 97.7% of patients are satisfied with the resolution of disputes, with no regrets involved in either case. In February 2016, the Research Institute of Finance of DRC made a field survey on the mode of “Ningbo solution”, analyzed the Ningbo experience and brought up relevant implications and suggestions.

Key words: doctor-patient disputes, Ningbo experience, commercial insurance